Luke Sullivan robs a stagecoach for the purpose of reclaiming money stolen from his pa. In the process, he kidnaps a female passenger to save her from marrying Sullivan's enemy. Initially, Emily McCarthy is very upset with the rescuing. Sullivan's enemy is a powerful rancher who does not like to lose, and Emily is beautiful--a prize he is unwilling to let go. Through several twists and turns, can Luke save her from marrying this man? Is Luke really the man of Emily's dreams?

The Vigilante's Bride reminded me of Love Comes Softly meets Lonesome Dove. The book was fast paced, and while the story line was a bit predictable, there were some twists I was not expecting. Overall, I thought it was a good story. My one complaint was that in places the Christian dialogue seemed forced.

While The Vigilante's Bride is a historical fiction set in Montana Territory, it is not a fictionalized history. The historical topics covered include the importance of the railroad, relationships between whites and the natives, reservations, and the lawlessness of territories versus towns with a sheriff. The topics of love and honor are presented along with a few violent episodes, including a brutal beating by henchmen and murder of a character (which was not graphic). As a result of the themes presented, I would recommend this book for teens and older who want to read an fun piece of writing set in a place we don't often read about. The book could also lend itself nicely to discussions on the railroad, territories, reservations, and the law.

I really enjoyed reading this book and recommend it heartily.

Product review by Marisa Corless, MH, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, October 2010